Note that there may be a small charge for some of these events, and some may be for members only. We will be publishing lists of upcoming talks and events regularly - if you are organising a talk or event relating to Scottish genealogy or history, please let us know and we will be happy to add your events to our list.
Monday, September 26 2016, 7.30 pm
Kinclaven and its People
Fergus Smith and Penny Lewis
Venue: Kinclaven Church
West Stormont Historical Society
Fergus and Penny will describe some of the findings of their one-place study on Kinclaven and its people, including their attempt to construct a "family forest" of the people of Kinclaven. There will be an opportunity after the talk to ask about your Kinclaven ancestry or the history of your house.
Monday, September 26 2016, 1:00, 2:00, & 3:00pm
The Treasure Trail
Venue: Meet at the Visitor Centre, Palacerigg Country Park, Cumbernauld.
North Lanarkshire Council Regeneration and Environmental Services
This is a 1 mile family treasure hunt. Follow the secret trail, answer the questions and then get directed to the next clue. Will your search lead you to gold or silver? You will need your brains, your eyes and your legs. Venue: Meet at the Visitor Centre, Palacerigg Country Park, Cumbernauld. Special requirements: Booking is not required. Ticket price Free Website: http://www.northlanarkshire.gov.uk/index.aspx?articleid=32425
Monday, September 26 2016, 10:00am-1:00pm
A ramble in the footsteps of Romans and Navvies
Venue: Meet at Auchinstarry Quarry Car Park near Kilsyth
North Lanarkshire Council Regeneration and Environmental Services
This is a 5 mile walk around the Kelvin Valley. This walk will look at the heritage, geography and wildlife of the Kilsyth area. The Antonine Wall, Forth and Clyde Canal and John Muir Way all pass close by, in fact people have been coming and going through this valley for thousands of years and they’ve left their mark. But the area is still home to plenty of wildlife and offers some great scenery. Venue: Meet at Auchinstarry Quarry Car Park near Kilsyth. Special requirements: Booking is essential. The route is mostly off road with some unsurfaced paths so good outdoor footwear is recommended. A snack and drink are also recommended. Ticket price Free Website: http://www.northlanarkshire.gov.uk/index.aspx?articleid=32425
Monday, September 26 2016, 11.15am-12:00pm, 12.15-1:00pm, 2:00-2.45pm, 3:00-3.45pm
Jacobite Secrets
Venue: Edinburgh Castle
It wasn't just men who supported the Jacobite uprisings. Come along and meet a secret Jacobite lady and hear her tales of the 1715 and 1745 Risings, and the arrival of Bonnie Prince Charlie in Edinburgh. The Jacobite cause divided families, including hers. Come along and hear her story. Ticket price This performance is included in the Edinburgh Castle admission price. Booking: events@hes.scot, 0131 668 8885 Website: https://www.historicenvironment.scot/visit-a-place/whats-on/event/?eventId=de84d65c-4d09-4c15-a4d9-a5fe00a929c1
Monday, September 26 2016, 12:00-4.30pm
Biggar Gasworks Steam Days
Venue: Biggar Gaswork Museum
For upwards of 130 years – from 1839 to 1973 – Biggar Gasworks made coal-gas for the town and surrounding district. It was one of the first small-town gasworks to open in Scotland, and among the last to close. It is the only preserved gasworks left in Scotland. Not long afterwards, it passed into State care, to be preserved as a lasting reminder of an industry that provided so much benefit to all the country’s citizens. During the 'Steam Days' the boiler will be operating and driving various items of steam driven machines associated with gas production and distribution. Ticket price Booking: events@hes.scot, 0131 668 8885 Website: https://www.historicenvironment.scot/visit-a-place/whats-on/event/?eventId=9d089e53-9386-4959-a5bc-a602009d2e3b
Monday, September 26 2016, 12:00-4:00pm
Conservation in Action
Venue: Alloa Tower, Alloa Park, Alloa FK10 1PP
Come and see Conservation in Action as we clean three 18th century paintings throughout August and September. Take a peek behind-the-scenes to see how paintings are cleaned at the historic tower. We'll conserve three paintings by Alloa-born 18th Century painter David Allan.
David Allan (13 February 1744 – 6 August 1796) was a Scottish painter and illustrator, best known for historical subjects and genre. Ticket price Ticket price is included in admission cost Booking: For further information please call 01259 211701 Website: http://www.nts.org.uk/Events/Alloa-Tower/Conservation-in-Action/
Monday, September 26 2016, 12:30-3:30pm
The Seven Lochs Trail
Venue: Meet at the Visitor Centre, Drumpellier Country Park, Townhead Road, Coatbridge
North Lanarkshire Council Regeneration and Environmental Services
This is a one-way 5½ mile walk with a free mini bus taking us to the start. The Seven Lochs Wetland Park is a green network bringing together eight square miles of lochs, parks and woodlands to the north of Glasgow and Coatbridge. Our walk will start at Frankfield Loch and return via Bishop Loch to finish at the Lochend Loch Visitor Centre in Drumpellier Country Park. Venue: Meet at the Visitor Centre, Drumpellier Country Park, Townhead Road, Coatbridge. Special requirements: Booking is essential as places on the mini-bus are limited. Some of the route is uneven so good outdoor footwear is recommended. A snack and drink are also recommended. Ticket price Free Website: http://www.northlanarkshire.gov.uk/index.aspx?articleid=32425
Monday, September 26 2016, 6 pm - 8 pm
Get started with your family history
Venue: 52 Overhaugh St, Galashiels, TD1 1DP
Borders Family History Society
Come with an idea of what you want to discover and bring your earliest family birth, marriage, death certificate or more certificates, if possible.
Monday, September 26 2016, 7.30 pm
Struthers Castle and Estate
Robert I G Scott
Venue: Age Concern Building, Provost Wynd, Cupar
Tuesday, September 27 2016, 10 am - 4 pm
Are your roots in the Borders ? Discover your family history or build your family tree
Venue: 52 Overhaugh St, Galashiels, TD1 1DP
Borders Family History Society
Build your family tree. Knock down a 'brick wall'. Explore your family history primarily in the Border counties (Berwickshire, Peeblesshire, Roxburghshire and Selkirkshire) of Scotland, though we'll still try to help you if your roots are elsewhere.
Tuesday, September 27 2016, 10:15am-3:45pm
Life in the Border 1914-1919 Exhibition
Venue: Borders Family History Society, 52 Overhaugh, St, Galashiels. TD1 1DP
Borders Family History Society
A fascinating exhibition about life in the Scottish Borders during World War I and afterwards. The exhibition is a joint venture between BFHS and Saving and Sharing Scottish Borders Stories of WWI Project Ticket price Free Website: http://www.bordersfhs.org.uk/
Tuesday, September 27 2016, 6:00-7:00pm
Collecting Glasgow
Venue: Mitchell Library North Street, Glasgow, G3 7DN
Glasgow Life
In this talk about The Mitchell's Glasgow Collection, Librarian Susan Taylor shares some of its highlights and discusses both its history and possible future developments. Ticket price Free Website: http://events.glasgowlife.org.uk/event/1/collecting-glasgow
Tuesday, September 27 2016, 7.30 pm
AGM
Venue: West Kilbride Community Centre, Corse Street, West Kilbride, KA23 9AX
Wednesday, September 28 2016, 10:00am
Standing Stones of Stenness and Barnhouse Village Walk
Venue: Standing Stones of Stenness
Join the Ranger Service for a guided tour of our oldest stone circle and explore the fascinating links with the nearby Neolithic village of Barnhouse. Ticket price Free Booking: No booking required. For more information call 01856 841 732 or email orkneyrangers@hes.scot Website: www.historicenvironment.scot/events
Wednesday, September 28 2016, 11.15am-12:00pm, 12.15-1:00pm, 2:00-2.45pm, 3:00-3.45pm
Bolts and Bodkins
Venue: Edinburgh Castle
Join castle archer Rusty Bodkins for an explanation of how the Scots used the medieval longbow and crossbow. Learn about different types of arrowheads and how arrow wounds were treated. Get dressed for battle and join the garrison! Ticket price This performance is included in the Edinburgh Castle admission price. Booking: events@hes.scot, 0131 668 8885 Website: https://www.historicenvironment.scot/visit-a-place/whats-on/event/?eventId=f4e0b6b1-2455-4cda-b4fe-a4ed00db88d3
Wednesday, September 28 2016, 11:15am; 12:00pm; 12:45pm; 1:30pm; 2:30pm; 3:15pm; and 4:00pm
Scotland’s National Hero
Venue: The National Wallace Monument
Who was William Wallace? Listen as a costumed actor gives you an insight into the life of Scotland’s National Hero – who he was, where he came from, and how he fought to free the people of Scotland from oppression. Ticket price Admission Prices: Adults: £9.99, Children £6.25 Website: http://www.nationalwallacemonument.com/ht_event/scotlands-national-hero/
Wednesday, September 28 2016, 6.30 pm - 8 pm
Smugglers, Spies and Stolen Plum Pies: or, The Darker Side of Alloa's Trade in the 18th Century
Venue: Alloa
Inner Forth Landscape Initiative
This evening will see a performance of a brand new, bespoke play about the smuggling and trading shenanigans around Alloa in the 18th century. Meet Walter Grosset, the unpopular Customs Collector; the Earl of Mar (or 'Bobbing John'); and a 'flash-mob' of Jacobites. This play is based on original historical research by IFLI volunteer, Ian Middleton, and will be written and performed by The Walking Theatre Company, ably assisted by pupils from Alloa Academy.
Booking essential
Wednesday, September 28 2016, 7 pm for 7.30 pm
The Admiralty Research Station at Hawkcraig Point, Aberdour in WWI
Diana Maxwell
Venue: Museum of Communication, 131 High Street, Burntisland KY3 9AA
Joint Lecture with Lothians Radio Society. £4 members, £5 non-members
Wednesday, September 28 2016, 7.30 pm
Bringing Coal to Auld Reekie: The Innocent Railway
James Waugh
Venue: Gullane Village Hall
Gullane and Dirleton History Society
James Waugh explores the history of this naïve sounding railway line
Wednesday, September 28 2016, 7.30 pm
Opening Night - Slide Show & Exhibition
Venue: Volunteer Hall, Galashiels
Thursday, September 29 2016
Sir Walter's Muckle Banket
Sandy Neil
Venue: Abbotsford, Melrose TD6 9BQ
Join us for a fascinating talk by Borders journalist and writer Sandy Neil on 19th century culinary delights and Walter Scott’s passion for the food of Scots.
Let your guide take you on a gastronomic tour of Scottish history and literature with an introductory walk around Abbotsford’s Kitchen Garden with Gardens Manager Pippa Coles.
This tour is part of the Borders Heritage Festival, so take this special opportunity to listen to stories of bizarre, delicious as well as forgotten dishes from Scottish history and fiction.
The tour meeting point is in the South Court of Abbotsford.
Adults £10 / Friends of Abbotsford £9
Buy Tickets Online
To book, you can also call us on 01896 752043 or buy your tickets in person at our Visitor Centre. Booking is recommended as spaces are limited.
Thursday, September 29 2016, 1:00pm
Ring of Brodgar Walk
Venue: Ring of Brodgar
Explore the area around the Ring of Brodgar during our guided walk with a ranger and find out the special significance of the Heart of Neolithic Orkney. Ticket price Free Booking: No booking required. For more information call 01856 841 732 or email orkneyrangers@hes.scot Website: www.historicenvironment.scot/events
Thursday, September 29 2016, 10 am - 4 pm
Are your roots in the Borders ? Discover your family history or build your family tree
Venue: 52 Overhaugh St, Galashiels, TD1 1DP
Borders Family History Society
Build your family tree. Knock down a 'brick wall'. Explore your family history primarily in the Border counties (Berwickshire, Peeblesshire, Roxburghshire and Selkirkshire) of Scotland, though we'll still try to help you if your roots are elsewhere.
Thursday, September 29 2016, 10:15am-3:45pm
Life in the Border 1914-1919 Exhibition
Venue: Borders Family History Society, 52 Overhaugh, St, Galashiels. TD1 1DP
Borders Family History Society
A fascinating exhibition about life in the Scottish Borders during World War I and afterwards. The exhibition is a joint venture between BFHS and Saving and Sharing Scottish Borders Stories of WWI Project Ticket price Free Website: http://www.bordersfhs.org.uk/
Thursday, September 29 2016, 10:30am-1:00pm
Museum of Banff Open Days
Venue: Banff Library AB45 1AE
Banff Preservation and Heritage Society
Banff Museum was founded in 1828 as the museum of the Banff Institution and is the oldest museum in Scotland north of Perth. The Banff Institution was dissolved in 1875 and the collections passed to Banff Town Council. The present museum and library building were built in 1902. Banff Preservation and Heritage Society currently run the Museum in partnership with Aberdeenshire Museums Service. The Museum is on Banff High Street, in the same building as Banff Library. The postocde is AB45 1AE. The exhibits show a vast range of interesting artefacts from the Celtic period up to the modern day. They reflect life in Banffshire and show some stunning examples of our historical past in Banff and Macduff. Ticket price Free Website: http://www.bphsmob.org.uk/
Thursday, September 29 2016, 11.15am-12:00pm, 12.15-1:00pm, 2:00-2.45pm, 3:00-3.45pm
Bolts and Bodkins
Venue: Edinburgh Castle
Join castle archer Rusty Bodkins for an explanation of how the Scots used the medieval longbow and crossbow. Learn about different types of arrowheads and how arrow wounds were treated. Get dressed for battle and join the garrison! Ticket price This performance is included in the Edinburgh Castle admission price. Booking: events@hes.scot, 0131 668 8885 Website: https://www.historicenvironment.scot/visit-a-place/whats-on/event/?eventId=f4e0b6b1-2455-4cda-b4fe-a4ed00db88d3
Thursday, September 29 2016, 12 pm - 2 pm
Gowan Hill, Stirling's Forgotten Jewel
Dr Murray Cook
Venue: Meet at Beheading stone
Stirling Council
Join Dr Murray Cook, Stirling Council’s Archaeologist in a tour of the hill: from prehistoric War Crimes to Executions and Jacobites to the Homes Guard. Duration 2 hours, wear appropriate clothes. Booking essential, contact Murray Cook cookm@stirling.gov.uk
Thursday, September 29 2016, 2 pm - 4 pm
Find Your Ain Folk Drop in Service
Venue: Community Room, Largs Library, Allanpark Street, Largs
North Ayrshire Family History Society
Thursday, September 29 2016, 2.30pm-4.00pm
Listed Buildings in Haddington
Emma Doyle
Venue: John Gray Centre
Friends of the John Gray Centre
Learn about listed buildings in Haddington and the rules behind listing them from specialist in the field Emma Doyle. Bring your questions to make the most of this unique opportunity to discover the architectural heritage of hour town. Followed by AGM
Thursday, September 29 2016, 3.30 pm - 5 pm
Introduction to Ancestry
Venue: Barrhead Foundry
East Renfrewshire's Heritage Collection
Ancestry Library Edition is a must for anyone doing their family history and you can get access to this fabulous resource in your local East Renfrewshire library, without spending a penny. This informal session will help you master the basics and you'll soon be searching with ease through millions of world-wide records.
Free, book at the venue.
Thursday, September 29 2016, 5.15 pm for 5.30 pm
Sir George Mackenzie and the Stuarts
Dr Clare Jackson (University of Cambridge)
Venue: TC Smout Lecture, Arts Lecture Theatre, St Andrews
Institute of Scottish Historical Research
Thursday, September 29 2016, 6.30 pm - 8 pm
Collecting Scottish Silver
George Dalgleish
Venue: Dumfries Museum and Camera Obscura, The Observatory, Rotchell Road, Dumfries, DG2 7SW
Dumfries and Galloway Museums and Galleries
A talk by George Dalgleish, recently retired Keeper of Scottish History and Archaeology at National Museums Scotland Silver has played an important part in Scottish history from the time of the Romans onwards. It played a key role in establishing and communicating power and prestige. In more modern times it was seen as a display of wealth and good taste. This talk will look at silver made by Scottish craftsmen from the 16th century onwards and will be illustrated with examples from the Dumfries Museum collection.
Thursday, September 29 2016, 7.30 pm
The archaeology of the forest with particular reference to Aigas Forest
Dr Roland Spencer-Jones, NOSAS
Venue: Seaforth Lodge, Station Square, Fortrose, IV10 8SZ
Admission to all lectures will be £5 (Members/Students £2.50).
Thursday, September 29 2016, 7.30 pm - 9.30 pm
Martin Luther King - Interviews with his Assistants
Robert Hamilton
Venue: Glen Halls, Neilston
Barrhead & Neilston Historical Association
Friday, September 30 2016, 10 am - 4 pm
Are your roots in the Borders ? Discover your family history or build your family tree
Venue: 52 Overhaugh St, Galashiels, TD1 1DP
Borders Family History Society
Build your family tree. Knock down a 'brick wall'. Explore your family history primarily in the Border counties (Berwickshire, Peeblesshire, Roxburghshire and Selkirkshire) of Scotland, though we'll still try to help you if your roots are elsewhere.
Friday, September 30 2016, 10:15am-3:45pm
Life in the Border 1914-1919 Exhibition
Venue: Borders Family History Society, 52 Overhaugh, St, Galashiels. TD1 1DP
Borders Family History Society
A fascinating exhibition about life in the Scottish Borders during World War I and afterwards. The exhibition is a joint venture between BFHS and Saving and Sharing Scottish Borders Stories of WWI Project Ticket price Free Website: http://www.bordersfhs.org.uk/
Friday, September 30 2016, 10:30am-1:00pm
Museum of Banff Open Days
Venue: Banff Library AB45 1AE
Banff Preservation and Heritage Society
Banff Museum was founded in 1828 as the museum of the Banff Institution and is the oldest museum in Scotland north of Perth. The Banff Institution was dissolved in 1875 and the collections passed to Banff Town Council. The present museum and library building were built in 1902. Banff Preservation and Heritage Society currently run the Museum in partnership with Aberdeenshire Museums Service. The Museum is on Banff High Street, in the same building as Banff Library. The postocde is AB45 1AE. The exhibits show a vast range of interesting artefacts from the Celtic period up to the modern day. They reflect life in Banffshire and show some stunning examples of our historical past in Banff and Macduff. Ticket price Free Website: http://www.bphsmob.org.uk/
Friday, September 30 2016, 11 am - 4 pm
Kirnie Law - Prehistory and Industrial Past Talk
Erica Niven
Venue: Innerleithen Parish Church car park, Innerleithen EH44 6JF
Join Scottish Borders Council Ranger, Erica Niven on a walk through prehistory and the industrial past. Walk past the Iron Age fort on Pirn Hill, visit incredible engineering at the reservoir on Kirnie Law, view the medieval and post-medieval archaeology above Walkerburn, and travel back to Innerleithen along the lazy Tweed. Bring packed lunch for this. 12km, 7.5 miles walk.
Friday, September 30 2016, 11:00am-12:30pm
Brodick Castle Secrets Tour
Venue: Brodick Castle, Garden & Country Park
Come along to the castle and join the Secrets Tour. We will tell you a few things that the 'ordinary visitor' does not get to know, and let you see things that you would not usually see. A more in depth look at various castle tales, places and objects. Ticket price £8 Booking: For further information please call 01770 302202 Website: http://www.nts.org.uk/Events/Brodick-Castle-Garden-and-Country-Park/Brodick-Castle-Secrets-Tour/
Friday, September 30 2016, 12:00-4:00pm
Conservation in Action
Venue: Alloa Tower, Alloa Park, Alloa FK10 1PP
Come and see Conservation in Action as we clean three 18th century paintings throughout August and September. Take a peek behind-the-scenes to see how paintings are cleaned at the historic tower. We'll conserve three paintings by Alloa-born 18th Century painter David Allan.
David Allan (13 February 1744 – 6 August 1796) was a Scottish painter and illustrator, best known for historical subjects and genre. Ticket price Ticket price is included in admission cost Booking: For further information please call 01259 211701 Website: http://www.nts.org.uk/Events/Alloa-Tower/Conservation-in-Action/
Friday, September 30 2016, 2 pm - 4 pm
Close Encounters - Discover Dunbar: Summer Foot Tours
Venue: Sparkly Frog boutique, 92 High St, Dunbar
The Dunbar Trades Association in conjunction with Local Historian Roy Pugh bring you FREE history tours of Dunbar, every friday afternoon throughout summer. This is a unique opportunity to find out more about the history of the town and ask any questions you have always wondered about.
Tours will start from outside the Sparkly Frog boutique, No 92 High Street, highlighting important historic buildings such as the Tolbooth or Town House. Some of the Closes will be explored – how they got their names and the history attaching to them. Each tour will begin at the Town House, then along the High Street towards Lauderdale House, another iconic historical building. Proceeding through Castle Wynd to Castle Street, other historic buildings encountered are John Muir’s first School and the Methodist Church. Crossing Victoria Street to the Outdoor Swimming Pool, a brief history of Dunbar Castle, the Battery and the two harbours will be given. Returning through the former parade ground of Castlepark Barracks, a potted history of Lauderdale House will follow. Returning to the High Street, the tour will proceed up to the Abbey Church, then crossing the road, further closes including the famous Bamburgh Close will be highlighted. The tour ends at the Crunchy Carrot, where Sergeant John Penn, survivor of the Charge of the Light Brigade at Balaclava during the Crimean War resided from about 1864 until his death in 1886.
Lasting between 45 minutes and one hour, tours will be conducted by Roy Pugh, local author and historian who has published a major history of Dunbar (Access to other titles by Roy may be found on website rjmpugh.co.uk. Roy is a native of Dunbar who spent most of his career in the civil service in the Secretary of State’s Scottish Office, St Andrew’s House, Edinburgh.)
BOOKING TOURS
Tours may be booked by contacting Sparkly Frog (telephone 01368 865531) or e-mail dunbarfoottours@outlook.com or by showing up on the day of. Tours are available for one or more persons (maximum 10-12) Children and young persons must be accompanied by an adult. While the weekly tour will take place every Friday at 2pm, bookings may be arranged for other afternoons except Sundays provided 24 hours’ notice is given.
Friday, September 30 2016, 7 pm
Mesolithic Deeside
Caroline Wickham-Jones
Venue: Horsemill, Crathes Castle
Aberdeenshire Council Archaeology Service
Free
Saturday, October 1 2016, 1 pm
Discovering Mesolithic Crathes
Heather Sabnis
Venue: Horsemill, Crathes Castle
Aberdeenshire Council Archaeology Service
Free
Saturday, October 1 2016, 11 am
Scotland's Earliest Ceremonial Monument? Crathes 10,000 years ago
Shannon Fraser
Venue: Horsemill, Crathes Castle
Aberdeenshire Council Archaeology Service
Free
Saturday, October 1 2016, 11.00 am
Mediaeval Dundee Walking Tour
Iain Flett (Dundee City Archives)
Venue: Meet outside Henry’s Coffee House, 4 City Square
Saturday, October 1 2016, 3 pm
Discovering Mesolithic Crathes
Heather Sabnis
Venue: Horsemill, Crathes Castle
Aberdeenshire Council Archaeology Service
Free
Saturday, October 1 2016, 9.30 am
Tour of the buildings of Peter Womersley
Simon Green
Venue: AHSS, Rutland Square
Architectural Heritage Society of Scotland
Join Simon Green to explore some of the buildings designed by modernist architect Peter Womersley in the Scottish Borders, including those designed for textile designer Bernat Klein near Selkirk; Womersley's own home, The Rig, at Gattonside and work at Dingleton, Melrose
Full details of the visit are still being finalised; it is likely that a coach will depart from the AHSS's offices in Rutland Square at 9.30. Cost to be confirmed.
To register your interest, please contact the AHSS National Office.
Non-members very welcome
Saturday, October 1 2016, 9.30 am - 5.45 pm
‘A’m Grippit Dis Laand’: A Conference in Honour of Dr Doreen Waugh
Venue: University of Edinburgh, 50 George Square, Edinburgh, EH8 9LD
Scottish Society for Northern Studies
£20 standard, £10 full-time students. Full programme can be found at http://ssns.org.uk/resources/Documents/WaughProgramme.pdf
Saturday, October 1 2016, All Day
Mesolithic Deeside
Venue: Horsemill, Crathes Castle, Banchory, AB31 5QJ
Cameron Archaeology Ltd
11am Shannon Fraser – talk - Crathes Castle Mesolithic pit alignment. 1pm and 3pm Heather Sabnis – talk - Discovering Mesolithic Crathes. ALL DAY – bring along flints and other stones for identification - flint sessions – handle flints from the Mesolithic Deeside sites and talk to archaeologists - events for children. Outdoor events by Brian Wilkinson 10am-4pm. FREE including free parking at Crathes Castle car parks
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